Activists and non-activists, alike, seem to have mixed opinions on social media activism. The phrase of choice is often, "Get out there and do something!" While online activism can seem like the very bare minimum, it often achieves real results, both big and small, which generally go unrecognized.
Though you may have many friends who are extremely vocal about the fact that they would rather keep politics off Facebook, there is great value in exchanging viewpoints with those you know personally. The world is not a simple division between "social justice warriors" and meninists, after all. People exist at all levels of education and awareness of social issues.
Though some are stuck in their ways, others are open to education, and genuinely appreciate those who help them to learn. These people are typically the best target audience for any social media activism. Though, at times, social media activism can seem to be no more than a debate with a brick wall, it's not entirely hopeless.
Online activism is often used as a form of empowerment and support for those who are activists offline, as well. It helps people connect to those who share the same values and beliefs, both in and out of their immediate social circle.
Sites like Twitter and Tumblr can connect a person to thousands of strangers with a diverse range of interests and views. Social media gives the opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, and information with thousands -- even millions -- of people who may not be able to access this information otherwise. This is where the true value in social media activism lies.
When thousands of people talk publicly through the web about the world's injustices, others take note. The simple concept of a hashtag for a movement places people with shared experiences in a common space. The #BlackLivesMatter movement, originally started by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, has become the rallying phrase for an entire movement against racial injustice. Other hashtagged movements include #YouOKSis, which documents women's common experiences with threats and violence during incidents of street harassment, and #YesAllWomen, which draws connections between the experiences of women trying to survive in a patriarchal society.
For many years, petitions and other online lobbying platforms have given people the chance to express their dissatisfaction with the systems that be. Recently, social media helped a college student to speak up about the casual racism promoted by the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of the term "nude." His campaign picked up steam, and Merriam-Webster eventually changed the definition.
This campaign and others have produced real, tangible results. So why are people so fond of discrediting any form of online activism?
Most likely, it's because social media activism can, at times, be extremely passive, giving it a bad reputation. After all, for some, online activism does not go very deep, or require much work or personal investment in a cause. A shared photo or article may very well go unnoticed, creating little change toward a more just world. Adding a rainbow filter to your profile picture to prove your "ally-ship" means little to LGBTQ+ people who are facing homelessness, poverty, violence, and a wealth of other issues. Following the posts of a charity, though admirable, does little to support its cause.
The "click and done" form of online activism can hardly be called solidarity. More often, this type of minimal activist involvement is for selfish reasons -- an act for those who want to feel good about themselves, not those who are looking to make meaningful change.
However, social media can be a safe and useful alternative for those who are physically or mentally unable to participate in more demanding and draining forms of activism.
So, no matter your stance, it's important to recognize the many successes of online activism efforts. First and foremost, activism begins with self-education, and the internet is a wonderful place for it. From there, solidarity can take many different forms. Not everyone can take to the streets for protests and marches.
Working from home can be extremely effective. What matters is that the work is being done. Does it really matter where from?
